Pangasinan make-up artist pledges free bridal make-up service for coronavirus frontliners

PANGASINAN, Philippines — Coronavirus medical frontliners in Pangasinan who are set to walk down the aisle this year can avail of a free bridal make-up service, courtesy of a home-based make-up artist who said this is his way of showing his appreciation for their heroic deed during this health crisis.

“Yun lang naisip kung way para naman after ng pandemic na ito, mapaganda sila sa importanteng araw ng buhay nila”, said Froilan Cortez, also known as Lian Lang.

(I just thought that after this pandemic, I could at least make them pretty on the important day of their lives.)

He wants to show his appreciation to the frontliners’ sacrifices. The idea came to him only last Tuesday, April 7, while he was sorting photos to be uploaded on social media. 

Cortez lost no time in spreading the word. He uploaded a photo on social media, announcing that he would do the make-up of 10 brides.

The slots were filled up immediately. Cortez, 26, also urged other hair and make-up artists to do the same. (READ: LIST: How to help healthcare workers, frontliners during coronavirus pandemic)

From doing make-up as a hobby in 2015, Cortez is now the owner of the Lian Lang’s Beauty Republic where most of his clients are brides and their entourage.

Cortez said that the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus has also affected his business. But he remains optimistic.

“Kapit lang. Kaya natin itong lahat,” he said.

(Just hang on. We’ll all get through this.)

Cortez’s first clients will be able to avail of his free make-up service immediately after the lockdown is lifted as some of the brides are set to be married soon.

As of Thursday afternoon, April 9, Pangasinan has recorded 31 COVID-19 patients: 17 are confined hospitals; 5 have recovered; and 9 have died.

The province had 108 patients under investigation (PUIs): 48 have recovered; 48 are in hospitals; and 12 have passed away. 

It had 87,851 persons under monitoring (PUMs): 78,560 have completed quarantine; 8,951 are still undergoing the 14-day quarantine; and 340 had incomplete quarantine periods. – Rappler.com